Virgil Bernard Lotzer

Funeral Mass for Virgil Bernard Lotzer, 89, of Sisseton SD will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 10:30 A.M.at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Sisseton. SD with Rev. Fr. Gregg Frankman Celebrant. Sequencer will be Kay Nikolas and Song Leader will be Cindy Marohl. Pall Bearers will be John Lotzer, Jason Lotzer, David Lotzer, Darin Fonder, Wayne Fonder and Brian Steen. Honorary Pall Bearers will be all of Virgil's nieces, nephews, friends, relatives, Tekakwitha Living Center Staff, Coteau des Prairies Hospital Staff and Big Stone Therapies at Coteau des Prairies. Interment will be at the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, South Dakota with Military Rites by the Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post #50 and Fort Sisseton VFW Post #3342. There will be visitation one hour prior to the Funeral Mass at the church. The Cahill Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Virgil Bernard Lotzer, 89 from Sisseton, SD, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, ~ 6 days short of being 90 years old. Virgil was born to Bernard and Velva (Solberg) Lotzer on April 30, 1934, in Sisseton. He attended country school that was close to the home place and went on through the 8th grade. Virgil entered the USAF in December of 1956 and served overseas in Germany and France before returning home to help his father on the farm in 1957. He was honorably discharged from the reserve status in December 1962. He often told the story of being in France and never got to see Paris.
In February of 1958, Virgil was united in marriage to Bernadine (Bonnie) Hervert in Graceville, MN. Virgil and Bonnie went on to have 2 children, Douglas, and Susan. He continued to farm and run the ranch for the majority of his life. He had a strong passion for horses. He actually commented he would like to have some colts on the farm a couple of years ago just to "mess around with"! He definitely passed that passion on to his daughter. He also started hauling black dirt/gravel alongside his father and sister for numerous years.
Virgil and Bonnie enjoyed traveling with friends and family. Many trips to Wyoming and Washington and even went a couple cruises to Alaska with a cousin and a great friend. They enjoyed spending time at their lake home on Buffalo Lake almost every weekend in the summer where many friends would gather and sit by the fire, play cards, shake dice etc. Virgil was an avid deer and pheasant hunter and also did quite a lot of fishing, summer and winter.
He was never without a cattle dog or hunting dog, and while hauling gravel you would see a "fur collar" around his neck which was his special companion, Buttons, a Lhasa Apso that never left his side and was supposed to be Bonnie's dog. In 2012 Bonnie suffered a stroke that landed her in the nursing home for 8 years and Virgil did not miss many days of going to town to sit with her and take her to different activities and help serve coffee to other residents also. He actually took her home for 5 months to care for her himself. Bonnie always said Virgil was her "best" caregiver ever.
He is survived by his son, Doug (Kathy)Frisk-Lotzer, Lynnwood, WA; daughter, Susan (Randy) Deutsch, Sisseton; granddaughter, Amanda (James) Lotzer, Arlington, WA; grandson, Jason (Carly) Lotzer, Marysville, WA; 1 great grandson, James Jr. and 3 step grandchildren, Riley (Amanda) Frisk, Jerrad (Katie) Frisk and Brittany (Eli) Frisk; 2 step great grandchildren, Ronan & Mila; 1 brother, Larry (Diane) Lotzer, Waikoloa, HI; 2 sisters, Sharon (Curt) Madsen, Bloomington, MN and Gail Lotzer of Sisseton, SD and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Virgil was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Bonnie; Daughter in law Tammy Jo Lotzer and Mother and Father.
Condolences can be sent to Susan Deutsch, 45495 SD Highway 10, Sisseton, SD 57262.